Learning Objectives

After participating in this educational activity, participants should be able to:

Identify the situations where climate change impacts MPHO.

Explain how pathogens can be transmitted and potential mechanisms of transmission.

Discuss the impact movements of the human population have on the safety of MPHO applying the ideas with examples.

Discuss, using examples, the effects of climate change on infectious disease.

Program Description

The impact of climate change can be felt in a variety of ways including its implications for medical products of human origin (MPHO). This program will examine consequences of climate change on the safety of blood, cells, and tissue; examining the effects of climate change on infectious diseases, and human population movements and characteristics.

The presentation will be addressed in the following manner:

Consequences of climate change that may have impact on the safety of blood, cells and tissues. A look at:

Disaster situations

Infectious diseases changes

Population changes – movements

Discussion will cover:

Definition of extreme weather and climate events

Impact on the MPHO supply with examples of

Demand surge

Supply failure

Effects of climate change on infectious diseases with examples that illustrate:

Spatial distribution

Annual/seasonal cycles

Disease incidence and severity

Most susceptible to climate change are zoonotic and vector-borne infections. Possible mechanisms proposed in the literature will be described:

Increased contacts of infected animal hosts and vectors with humans or with other hosts and vectors

Increased likelihood that a human contact with host or vector would result in pathogen transmission

Results of infectious disease changes – emergence and re-emergence and their impact to the safety of MPHO (examples, WNV, ZIKV) will be discussed.

Human population movements and characteristics highlighting:

Consequences of the movements on the safety of MPHO and

Safety of the MPHO supply during migration processes shown through examples

Continuing Education Credit

AABB estimates both the live and on-demand version of this eCast each to be eligible for 1 continuing education credits/contact hours for Physicians, California Nurse, California Lab Personnel, Florida Lab Personnel and General Participation credit. The final number of credit(s) and credit types awarded for this program (live or on-demand) will be determined by the program duration. For more information on each credit type please visit our
Continuing Education Credits webpage.

Speaker Biography

Dr. Domanovic is the senior expert in tissues and cells of human origin at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. He has numerous publications examining infectious organisms, assessment of emerging transmission risks, and selection strategies- taking an interesting perspective on the impact of climate change on infectious organisms and disease transmission. Current areas of interest are also the epidemiology of donor-derived infections and response and preparedness activities to maintain the safety of MPHO during outbreaks.